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How does air repatriation work?
Transporting a deceased person by air is the fastest and most common method of international repatriation. After embalming, the deceased is transported in a soldered zinc coffin as air freight in the cargo hold — not in the passenger cabin.
1. Preparation
Embalming, zinc coffin, mortuary pass and all documents are procured. We coordinate everything in parallel to save time.
2. Flight booking
We book the cargo transport with the appropriate airline. The coffin is declared as "HUM" (Human Remains) on the air waybill.
3. Handover at the airport
A special vehicle brings the coffin to the freight area of the departure airport. Customs clearance and handover to the airline take place there.
4. Arrival & reception
At the destination airport, the coffin is received by the local funeral director or our partners. Customs clearance, transport to the cemetery or funeral home.
IATA regulations for the transport of deceased persons
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) governs the air transport of deceased persons in its regulations (IATA Perishable Cargo Regulations, PCR). The key requirements:
Embalming
Required to WHO standard. The embalming certificate must accompany the air waybill.
Zinc coffin
Hermetically soldered zinc insert in a wooden coffin. Pressure equalisation valve with filter required.
Documentation
Mortuary pass, death certificate, embalming certificate, consular clearance — all in original.
Packaging
The wooden coffin must be sturdy enough for cargo transport. Absorbent material inside. No screws or metal parts that could damage the aircraft fuselage.
Costs of air repatriation by destination country
| Destination region | Air freight costs | Total costs from | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey | 800–1.200 € | 2.500 € | 2–4 days |
| Eastern Europe / CIS | 1.000–2.000 € | 3.000 € | 3–5 days |
| North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia) | 1.500–2.500 € | 3.800 € | 4–6 days |
| Asia (Pakistan, India) | 2.000–3.500 € | 4.500 € | 5–8 days |
| Africa (Nigeria, Ghana) | 2.500–4.000 € | 5.000 € | 6–10 days |
Total costs include: embalming, zinc coffin, all documents, air freight, collection and handover. Details on our costs page.
Which airlines transport deceased persons?
Most major airlines accept the transport of deceased persons as air freight. Conditions and freight rates vary. We work regularly with the following airlines:
Lufthansa Cargo
Germany's largest freight carrier. Direct flights from Frankfurt, Munich, Duesseldorf. Reliable, but higher prices.
Turkish Airlines
Excellent network for Turkey, the Middle East, Central Asia. Most frequent choice for repatriations to Turkey. Competitive freight rates.
Emirates / Qatar Airways
Ideal for repatriations to the Middle East, Asia, Africa. Hub connections via Dubai and Doha respectively.
Other airlines
Air France, KLM, LOT Polish Airlines, Ukraine International, Royal Air Maroc — we select the optimal connection depending on the destination country.
Cargo flight or passenger aircraft?
In most cases, the coffin is transported in the cargo hold of a regular passenger aircraft — beneath the passenger cabin. Passengers are unaware of this. Dedicated cargo flights are only used when no suitable passenger flight is available or when the destination country is served exclusively by freight aircraft.
Cargo flights are generally more expensive but offer greater flexibility in scheduling. We advise you on which option is best suited to your situation.
FAQ: Air Repatriation
The deceased is embalmed, placed in a zinc coffin and transported as air freight in the cargo hold. We coordinate the entire process.
Total costs including all services: Turkey from 2,500 euros, Eastern Europe from 3,000 euros, Asia from 4,500 euros, Africa from 5,000 euros.
Yes, coffins are transported in the cargo hold beneath the passenger cabin. Passengers are unaware of this.
Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air France, KLM and many more. We select the optimal connection for your destination country.
Further guides
Zinc coffin requirement
Why the zinc coffin is required for air transport — costs and regulations.
Apply for a mortuary pass
No air transport without a mortuary pass — all information on the application.
Cost overview 2026
All repatriation costs transparently itemised.